HANG TIME SOUTHWEST –LeBron James scored a career-high 61 points on Monday night. How would Kevin Durant answer a night later in what’s becoming a must-see, game-by-game, blow-by-blow MVP race?

Durant totaled 42 points on 14-for-20 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists in a mere 32 minutes in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 125-92 dismantling of the moribund Philadelphia 76ers. It was an individual performance that stacked up more to a Sixer of another era, The Answer, as in Allen Iverson, than to LeBron.

For the 26th consecutive game, Durant scored at least 25 points, the third-longest such streak in the last 25 years. The two players who’ve gone longer? Durant did it for 29 consecutive games during the 2009-10 season. And Mr. Iverson, the man who watched his No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers jersey raised to the rafters Monday, got it done in 27 consecutive games during the 2000-01 season. That’s it. Those two. No LeBron to be found.

In fact, after Tuesday’s 106-103 loss at Houston, James has sandwiched his 61 — his second game of the season of 40 points or more — with games of 20 and now 22. Durant, meanwhile, notched his 10th game of 40 points or more and his fourth in the last nine games. He made his first seven shots and was 8-for-11 with 21 points by halftime. Then came 21 in the third quarter on 6-for-9 shooting and his night was done.

Had he not unnaturally struggled at the free throw line, going 12-for-18, Durant probably would have hit 50 for a second time this season.

“It’s his fault,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks kidded. “I would’ve ran one more play for him to get 50 if he would’ve made his six free throws.”

But get this: Kevin wasn’t the story of the night. Because Russ ended up being Russ.

Russell Westbrook, in his sixth game back from a third right knee surgery since last April, ripped the 76ers for a triple-double — 13 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds — in a land speed record of 20 minutes, 17 seconds. At least it’s the fastest anyone’s accumulated a triple-double in nearly 60 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“He’s just physically so gifted and he is so competitive,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said. “You know, there is a — and I say this respectfully — there is an angry competitor that wills his way into doing stuff, and I say that with the utmost respect, and so you saw those physical abilities along with just such a strong mind. It’s a powerful combination.”

Westbrook racked up eight assists in his first stint of six minutes, 34 seconds.

“Fourteen assists in 20 minutes,” Brooks marveled. “I mean, potentially if he had played more minutes, he probably could have had 20 assists tonight.”

That’s now 40 assists for Westbrook in his last five games, and perhaps the best sign that his knee is feeling fine is the 10 rebounds. He had 12 in the previous four games. The triple-double was his second of the season. The first came on Christmas Day at New York, his unsuspecting final game before being summoned back to the operating table.

“It is crazy,” Westbrook said of his rapid-fire filling of the box score. “I’m just trying to get my groove back. It is crazy to be able to do that in such a short amount of time, but it was fun.”

“I’m super proud of him,” Durant said of his buddy during a TV interview after the game.

It’s a great sign for the Thunder (46-15), who have now won three in a row since losing their first three games of Westbrook’s return out of the All-Star break. They are without injured starters Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins, but they did welcome newcomer Caron Butler into the rotation for the first time.

Bought out by the Bucks last week and signed by the opportunistic Thunder, the veteran small forward logged 26 minutes off the bench and contributed two points, an assist and five rebounds. He received a warm welcome from the home sellout crowd.

“I was just excited to be in that environment,” Butler said. “It felt like being at UConn again.”

32 Comments

Come on, guys ! KD-Lebron-KD-Lebron what is the advantage for you to debate about who gonna be a MVP here ? They even won’t read this blog. Both of them I believe deserve to get the reward because they succesfully entertain us. But I will be happier if the one who win is the best player who can play best individualy or as a team member and last but not least, who has the best personality inside or outside the court.

omg…..1000 preening diva LeBrons strutting around, complaining about “no calls” and talking about how tough they are for taking a little swat in the nose…..what a special kinda hell that would be………………..stop!.. STOP.!!…oh PLEASE god make it STOP…..!!

Yeah it’s a wow when a player scores something crazy like 60+ points but it’s more of a wow that the “team play” wasn’t there. That means everyone else was spectating and It’s not like they played a “Real Opponent” Jordan and Kobe at least did it against good playoff teams. Durant is a pure shooter and can knock that shot down no matter who’s in front of him. Lebron has had his ego stroked for so long he’s become a show boater and how he doesn’t get called for taunting after some plays blows my mind. Under pressure I haven’t seen him take over a 4th Quarter. He goes into playground baller mode during the game then tends to vanish at the end. He’s a great player but all that extra stuff has to go and I want to see him play a full 4 Quarters and want the ball in his hand every play.

KD is a good player but if he decides to join “LeBron” in miami it could be awesome, “LeBron” makes to others better, imagine KD better ! the best duo since Laurel and Hardy.trade birdman/cole for durant/jackson and BINGO

OVERALL PLAY?! WHO LEBRON?! LOL!! HE DOESN’T EVEN HAD A CLUTCH SHOOTING LIKE DURANT HAS.. DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT MAN?!

OKC HAS A BETTER RECORDS THAN MIAMI.. MVP IS FOR WINNING.. WHAT’S THE POINT OF MAKING AN MVP IF HIS TEAM IS NOT WINNING?!..

WHAT’S THE POINT OF SCORING 61 POINTS WHERE MIAMI CAN STILL BEAT BOBCATS EVEN HE SCORED ONLY 41 POINTS?! If you are really for winning Lebron you should know your competitors but because you are afraid that Durant will take the MVP you push your self too much and that made your excuses against a better team like the Rockets. YOU DON’T RESPECT YOUR OPPONENTS BECAUSE YOUR HEAD NOW IS TOO BIG AND THAT’S WHY YOU PAYED FOR IT!.. BECAUSE OF YOUR SELFISHNESS YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN COMPROMISED..

The time will come that NBA will lose quality players and the excitement of the game will be gone because of giving TOO MUCH OR EXAGGERATED PRAISE TO THAT GUY who doesn’t have the skills and competitiveness like Kobe and MJ has.. Because of too much praise that they are giving to this guy which he don’t deserve HE’S HEAD NOW IS TOO BIG LIKE THE HEADS IN MT. RUSHMORE.. “MY TEAM LOSE THE GAME BECAUSE I’M TIRED”.. WOW! YEAH AND YOU WILL WIN THE MVP AGAINST DURANT?!.. What a very good example to the people of world.. LOL!!!

YOU DON’T OWN THE NBA Lebron TO SAY THAT YOU WILL JUST DO YOUR JOB IF YOU WOULD LIKE TOO.. YOU ARE BEING PAYED TO WIN THE GAME!.. WHAT A BOASTFUL PLAYER..

First of all, please proofread before hitting submit. Second, he said he was tired and also said, no excuses. As you said Miami would have beat the Bobcats if LeBron scored 41, same holds true for KD against Philly. The bottom line is, LeBron James is still the best player on the planet right now no matter who gets MVP.

I agree with @WE LOSE BECAUSE I’M TIRED.. LOL! DUMB because of Lebron’s boastfulness he haven’t seen what’s coming that’s why they lose with Rockets.. He was so selfish that he is thinking only for his MVP race against Durant that it will cause him to fall and fail to get the MVP he really did compromised his team..

Durant should get the MVP this season he just demoralized and ate Lebron alive after he beat the whole Miami team with D.Wade and C.Bosh in their home court before without Russel Westbrook.. that’s more remarkable than a 61 points of Lebron against a weaker team.. Durant right now is in the other Planet he is not human..

DURANT WILL TAKE THE SEASON MVP AND THE FINALS MVP.. LEBRON IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.. LOL!! WATCH OUT FOR THE LAKERS WITH KEVIN LOVE, CARMELO AND THE BLACK MAMBA NEXT SEASON.. JUST FACE IT AND ACCEPT IT LEBRON IS TURNING 30 THIS YEAR and Lakers will dominate next season.. I don’t think Lebron’s speed and power will be the same after he turned 32.. Goodbye now Lebron fool fans..

IM NOT IMPRESSED IF KD GETS 30+ POINTS.. HE HAD 42 LAST NIGHT.. YEAH!! REFS GAVE HIM 18 FREE THROWS.. LOOK AT HIS STATS LAST JANUARY.. HE WAS SHOOTING MORE THAN 15 FREE THROWS 4 OUT OF 5 GAMES, ESPECIALLY IF HE’S NOT MAKING HIS SHOTS..

Coaches should stop resting their players when they have the potential to have a big game. They have a great chance of making history and rest them IN CASE of injury. Cmon just play them, the fans love seeing big games and performances, play them for the fans, we’re the most important factor for the league. KD is only in his mid twenties, he doesn’t need the rest. PLAY THEM. NLBLAAAAAAH

KD is the MVP as of now, even if of course it’s a close race (before LBJ’s 61pt-outburst, I still had KD 1st in the MVP race).
He could’ve gone 60 against Philly if he played much of the 4th quarter (especially with Russell Westbrook playing out of his mind himself and dishing at will against the slumping 76ers) but he didn’t even played after the 3rd!

Anyway great win by OKC – if ever a Heat-Thunder final happens; it would be great (especially with KD, Russ & Ibaka being much improved since their 1st Finals appearance).

Durant is trying to be Lebron James! what he does, how he does it all, The difference is that Durant is pushing himself to come up with a LBJ type or at least match Lebron’s performance, while James does it his way! all comes naturally! EFFORTLESS!!!…

Durant is trying to be Lebron James! what he does, how he does it all, The difference is that Durant is pushing himself to come up with a LBJ type or at least match Lebron’s performance, while James does it his way! all comes naturally! EFFORTLESS!!!…

I still cant believe his better than LBJ. focal point on defense.. Do extra stuffs, Scores high, eletrify team8ts. Take off KD on OKC and im positive Ibaka can still rebound. What team can do that now a days? Westbrook is still good and can still be a play off team 1st round. Take LBJ out in miami and its a disaster! Wade can’t play all game? You decide, you have brains. BOTTOM LINE PEOPLE? LBJ’s Game weigh’s more by watching than KD. There really is a difference as KD only scored against HEAT on freethrow. On Heat’s loss? LBJ’s the only one playing for Heat and still top scored all player on the court. I know yu like KD? and me too? but please? at this time??? LBJ’s game matter’s the most. KD proven much better sweet scorer. LBJ Proven most valuable of NBA. Stop Talking and use you Brain.